Admission and Regulations - School of Graduate Studies

Requirements for Admission

The requirements for admission to the School of Graduate Studies are:

1.  A baccalaureate degree from a college or university approved by a regional accrediting agency.
2. A grade point average of at least 2.5 for undergraduate work, and 3.0 for graduate work, on a 4 point scale and based upon all work for which a grade is given.
3. Satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Examination.
4. Satisfactory standing at the most recent educational institution attended.
5. Acceptance in a departmental program.
6. It should be noted that individual departments may establish requirements more rigid than the minimal standards of the School of Graduate Studies so that a student meeting minimal school requirements may not be adequately prepared to enter graduate study in a particular program.

In addition, all students whose native language is not English must present acceptable scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination before they will be accepted as graduate students.

Medical Requirements

A physical examination and selected blood work and immunizations are mandatory prior to registration at the Health Sciences Center.

Students will receive information and instructions pertinent to student health in their acceptance packet.

Experiential Credit

The School of Graduate Studies does not award credit or advanced placement for any previous work experience or professional work certificate obtained by a student prior to admission. All required course work for each individual program must be completed. At the recommendation of a Department, and approval by the Dean of the Graduate School, some coursework may be exempted for students who enter a Ph.D. program after having completed an advanced degree program such as M.S., M.D. or D.V.M.

Types of Admissions

A student meeting all requirements is normally granted unconditional admission. Applicants who fail to meet all qualifications but who are nevertheless judged by the departments concerned and by the Dean to show promise for successful graduate work may be considered for probationary admission on the merits of their individual cases. Applicants who appear to be admissible but who are unable, for good reason, to supply the required credentials prior to the stated deadline may request provisional admission. In such cases complete credentials must be received not later than sixty days after the first day of classes (forty five days in the Summer term). International applicants who require an I-20 form must be unconditionally accepted.

Admission Procedure

The student should request information from the Office of Graduate Studies. The completed application form should be returned to the Office of Graduate Studies or to the Department of the application. One copy of each official transcript should be sent directly from the Registrar of each college or university the student has attended (including the various institutions in The LSU System) to the School of Graduate Studies of the Health Sciences Center. Letters of recommendation from two former professors are required. Students should request that results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and the TOEFL Examination be sent directly to the School of Graduate Studies by the Educational Testing Service. IELTS scores must be sent  directly from the International English Language Testing System. The completed application, including transcripts and GRE scores, will be sent to the Department concerned for review and recommendation. Those students acceptable to the Department of their choice will be notified of acceptance to the School of Graduate Studies by the Dean.

Deadlines

Deadline dates for each department vary, depending upon number and quality of applicants, so early application is advised. Individual departments should be contacted for their deadlines.

Re-Application

Students once registered in the School of Graduate Studies who wish to resume work after an absence of more than one semester will be required to submit an application for re-admission at least ten davs before registration. Supplementary transcripts must be submitted if any work has been taken at another institution during the interim. Exceptions to this requirement must be by successful petition to the Dean.

Instructions for Making Application to the LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport School of Graduate Studies

Completion of the application process requires the following:

1. The application form must be completed and sent to the School of Graduate Studies at the address shown below.
2. The official report of the Graduate Record Exam scores must be sent from the ETS to the School of Graduate Studies. To expedite the application process, a copy of the GRE scores may be submitted. These will be verified from ETS, but will not substitute for the official report.
3. International Students must submit scores for both the Graduate Record Exam and either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The TOEFL or IELTS must be taken unless the applicant has received at least a Bachelor’s degree from a University in the United States.
4. One (1) copy of the official transcript must be sent to the School of Graduate Studies directly from each college or university attended. Transcripts which show transfer credit from other colleges attended are not acceptable. International students, please note that transcripts must be sent directly from the Registrar’s (or equivalent) Office on official letterhead stationary of the University to the School of Graduate Studies. Transcripts issued to students are not considered official.
5. Two (2) letters of recommendation, preferably from professors who have taught the applicant in the basic sciences, must be sent to the School of Graduate Studies. The “Recommendation of Applicant” forms provided by the Graduate Office should be used.

All of the above should be sent to:

LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport
School of Graduate Studies
1501 Kings Highway
P.O. Box 33932
Shreveport, LA 71130

The application is the responsibility of the students. There will be no notification of incomplete applications. Inquiries about the application may be made to 318-675-7674 No collect calls will be accepted.

FINAL DEADLINES FOR APPLICATION: Each department has its own deadline for receiving new applications. The departments may be contacted individually, or a call can be transferred from the Graduate Office (318-675-7674) to the department.

GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS: Graduate stipends are available each year in each department. They are awarded by the department head. The department may be contacted for information regarding consideration for a stipend.

Academic Progression Requirement

The Departments and the Dean review the academic progress of each student. A student may be permitted to remediate upon the recommendation of the student’s Department and concurrence by the Dean.

Student Financial Aid

A complete detailing summary of all provisions governing financial aid available to Graduate Studies students may be found in the general section of this publication under the heading: “STUDENT FINANCIAL AID .”

Special Status Students

An applicant may seek to enroll in Graduate School courses as a non-matriculating Special Status student. The applicant must have earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. An official transcript must be sent from the college or university to the School of Graduate  Studies. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 and 3.0 for graduate work is required. The applicant must submit a letter signed by the director of the course in which the applicant wishes to enroll, to the School of Graduate Studies. The letter must state the course number, title and number of credit hours, as listed in this publication. The applicant letter must arrive in the Graduate School Dean’s office for approval at least two weeks before registration. If approved, the applicant must fill out an application form and pay the application fee at least one week before registration. This procedure applies for each term in which the student wishes to enroll in a course. At registration, the student will pay the registration fees according to the Graduate School fee schedule. A maximum of 12 credit hours of graduate credit earned as a Special Status student will be considered for meeting a graduate degree requirement in the School of Graduate Studies. Credit hours earned as a Special Status student may not be used to meet degree requirements in the School of Medicine or the School of Allied Health Professions.